The 30 eco-lodges at Diamond, East Bank Demerara that were scheduled to be completed in time for the local leg of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023 will be finished at a later date, due to significant changes in foundation works along with new management.
In an earlier report, Stabroek News noted that the project which began in June, was being constructed under the auspices of the Ministry of Housing by DuraVilla Homes, a local construction company in collaboration with consultants from a company in the United Arab Emirates.
This initiative was part of the agenda to support 120 women in business and it is expected that these women will be undertaking the management of the lodges. Originally slated to cater to the influx of tourists for ‘Cricket Carnival’ by September 7, the eco-lodges were designed to provide travellers with a unique and sustainable lodging experience.
However, according to a worker on the project who opted to remain anonymous, one of the primary reasons behind the delay is the unforeseen alterations in the foundations, coupled with a shortage of construction labour.
In addition, a management shuffle within the project has further contributed to the delay. Different parts of the eco-lodge project, such as the management offices, gym, and restaurant, saw changes in leadership. The transition period for the new management teams added complexities to the project’s execution, which led to the revised opening date.
When Stabroek News visited the site yesterday, construction was ongoing on the building expected to house all the additional facilities for the eco-lodge. Final works are currently being done on the lodges, but much needed work is still expected to be done on the restaurant and recreational building.
According to the project manager, Joe Daniel, all works are expected to be completed in another 2 weeks. Once completed, the building will include a well-appointed, wood-finished, fully furnished one-bedroom lodge with toilet and bath, air-conditioning, and a pool.
While the government had spoken about the expected readiness of the eco-lodges for the start of the CPL cricket there has been no word from it about the delays.
